Donald L. Okins Obituary (1947 - 2026)

Born Jul 24, 1947, Donald L. Okins attended Redwood Valley High School in Redwood Falls, MN. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Donald L. Okins.

Graduation Year	Class of 1965
Date of Birth	Jul 24, 1947
Date of Passing	Jan 24, 2026
About	Today is January 24th, 2026 and with me holding your hand at home, your soul softly left your body this morning. You were 78 years old. I am your only child, a daughter you named Tammy Lee who will forever be your little girl. Please take me fishing again on Green Lake. We'll pick up KFC first to eat on the boat and then a Hawaiian blizzard at DQ on our way home. Or we can go camping in Sioux Narrows with Pepper. I bet the penny we put under the rock is still there. You can go deer hunting in Big Fork by yourself, but have a blueberry pancake for me. I share your love of vinegar cucumbers, pickles and olives, but no one loved ketchup as much as you did! You would say, "The only food you cannot put ketchup on is ice cream." You were born and lived most of your life in Redwood Falls, MN. You were the first born for Donald and Evelyn (Frederiksen) Okins, Sr. You were the big brother to Kay Peters, Larry (d. 2006), Gary and Gery (d. 1960). You graduated from Redwood Falls High School and also earned your private pilot's license. You loved flying. You went into the Army on April 1, 1966. Your first assignment was in Germany. Your 2nd, and most important assignment was in Vietnam, because that's where I was born. You were honorably discharged and earned medals for Army Commendation, Good Conduct, National Defense Service and Vietnam Campaign. You were also recommended for the Bronze Star for 2 Volunteer Only Resupply Missions during the Tet Offensive. I am so proud of you. You held several jobs, but you worked the longest at Schult Homes, in Redwood Falls as a Supervisor. Twice a year they held a parade of homes and that was my favorite time. We would walk through each home and pretend what it would be like to live in each one. You watched me graduate high school, college and graduate school. You walked me down the aisle at my wedding. After Evan was born, you came to take care of him so I could go back to work. 7 years ago, you moved in with us in Lewisburg, PA. You drove Will to school every morning and was the first in line to pick him up everyday. Let's spend Saturday nights eating tacos and watching Love Boat and Fantasy Island again. Please build me a roller skating path in our house and bring home the refrigerator boxes for me to play in. You saved everything I touched and wrote my name on everything you built. You loved me so much and I knew it. I once told you, "If happiness is seeing your child be happy, you can die a happy and lucky man because I am the happiest little girl in the world because of you." Good night Papa. I've checked the doors and turned off the lights. I love you and miss you so very much. I promise I will be careful. I promise I will be safe. Your little girl, Tammy.